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Making the Climate Change Connection: �Communicating Climate Change and Ocean Change

Ben Grumbles�Executive Director

Mid-Atlantic Ocean Acidification Workshop�September 10, 2024

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What is ECOS?

ECOS is the national nonprofit, nonpartisan association of state and territorial environmental agency leaders.

ECOS Member Photo: Newport, RI Fall 2024

Mission:

ECOS strives to improve the capability of state environmental agencies and their leaders to protect and improve human health and the environment.

ECOS members place significant value on interacting with—and learning from—their leadership peers

ECOS leadership also recognizes the value of providing a knowledge base and support for new state environmental agency leadership as ECOS members.

Environmental agency staff who are responsible for day-to-day environmental management. In order to maximize their organizations’ limited resources, ECOS members look to their peers to gain insights and best practices for environmental management

ECOS standing committees will be re-envisioned to support sharing of ideas and best practices, and will be the forum in which resolutions are developed, refined, and adjusted.

�We are the glue and we are constantly adapting

“Reinventing the wheel is not the best use of anyone’s time, and being able to network with Directors or Secretaries who are facing the same issues is amazingly helpful. Whether stealing someone else’s good idea, or simply appreciating that others are struggling with the same issues, being a member of ECOS is enormously beneficial.” - Alec Messina, Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

��ECOS helps to improve the ongoing relationship between the federal government, state governments, and representatives through cooperative environment policy, practices, and programs to ensure the prosperity of human and environmental health mutualistically.

��

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ECOS Climate and Energy Workgroup

Amplifies and shares sustainable, bipartisan climate and energy solutions; and
Promotes greater awareness and integration of policies and programs across environmental, climate, public health, and energy regulators.

www.ecos.org

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Climate Solutions Address Underlying Causes of Ocean Acidification

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Reduction of Nutrient Pollution and Runoff

Carbon & GHG Emissions Reduction

Adaptation & Resilience Measures

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How Are States Approaching Ocean Acidification Messaging:

Local

Relatable

Relevant

Realistic

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Ways to Push Forward:

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Better Tracking & Funding

Partnering on Solutions

Transitioning to Cleaner Energy

Educating & Engaging the Public

ECOS members place significant value on interacting with—and learning from—their leadership peers

ECOS leadership also recognizes the value of providing a knowledge base and support for new state environmental agency leadership as ECOS members.

Environmental agency staff who are responsible for day-to-day environmental management. In order to maximize their organizations’ limited resources, ECOS members look to their peers to gain insights and best practices for environmental management

ECOS standing committees will be re-envisioned to support sharing of ideas and best practices, and will be the forum in which resolutions are developed, refined, and adjusted.

�We are the glue and we are constantly adapting

“Reinventing the wheel is not the best use of anyone’s time, and being able to network with Directors or Secretaries who are facing the same issues is amazingly helpful. Whether stealing someone else’s good idea, or simply appreciating that others are struggling with the same issues, being a member of ECOS is enormously beneficial.” - Alec Messina, Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

��ECOS helps to improve the ongoing relationship between the federal government, state governments, and representatives through cooperative environment policy, practices, and programs to ensure the prosperity of human and environmental health mutualistically.

��

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Research & Data are Needed to Guide Future Decisions

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Nature-based Solutions

Photo by Zach Blumenfeld, ECOS Intern 2024

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Climate change isn't just about sea level rise and warming temperatures; there is growing concern around the changing chemistry of the ocean.

Photo by Zach Blumenfeld, ECOS Intern 2024

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Thank you!

Ben Grumbles, �Executive Director

The Environmental Council of the States�

www.ecos.org